The House Oversight Committee recently launched an investigation into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and his alleged “extensive” ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) issued a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, requesting the federal agency to provide any relevant documents related to Walz’s academic and business ties to China.
“It has come to the Committee’s attention that Governor Walz has longstanding connections to CCP-connected entities and officials that make him susceptible to the Party’s strategy of elite capture, which seeks to co-opt influential figures in elite political, cultural, and academic circles to influence the United States to the benefit of the communist regime and the detriment of Americans,” Comer wrote.
Comer raised concerns about the possible influence of the CCP on American politicians. The Kentucky Republican told Wray that “the Committee seeks information about the Chinese entities and officials Governor Walz has engaged and partnered with, as well as any warnings or advice the FBI may have given to Governor Walz about U.S. political figures being targeted by or recruited for CCP influence operations.”
The head of the Oversight Committee further outlined the “problematic” interactions Walz allegedly has had. “Despite bipartisan efforts to identify and defeat CCP unrestricted warfare against America, Governor Walz continues problematic engagement with concerning entities and individuals,” Comer wrote. “In March 2024, he met with Consul General Zhao Jian to discuss ‘China-U.S. relations and sub-national cooperation.’”
Despite the GOP’s concern, the Harris-Walz campaign maintained that the Minnesota governor had “stood up” to China. “Throughout his career, Governor Walz has stood up to the CCP, fought for human rights and democracy, and always put American jobs and manufacturing first,” spokesman James Singer claimed. “Vice President Harris and Governor Walz will ensure we win the competition with China, and will always stand up for our values and interests in the face of China’s threats.”
However, Republicans are not convinced that Walz has not posed a security risk with his engagement with communist China. “Any individual traveling dozens of times to an adversary nation in a personal capacity while having access to classified information poses an obvious security risk,” stated Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN). “I am therefore concerned that Governor Walz may have failed to comply with foreign travel reporting requirements during these trips to China, despite his duty as a security clearance holder to protect our national security,” he added.
Former National Security Council senior director in the Trump White House, Brian J. Cavanaugh, said, “Regarding the case of Governor Tim Walz’s visits to China while he served in the Army National Guard, the security risks would depend on several factors, including the nature of his interactions, the level of classified information he had access to, and his compliance with reporting requirements.”
“If Governor Walz failed to report foreign travel or take action on any mitigation measures, the risks of him jeopardizing national security are very real, especially given his tenor and tone towards his time in China,” he further added. “These laws and orders mandate the protection of classified information and outline the responsibilities of clearance holders, including the requirement to report foreign contacts and travel that might pose a risk to national security,” he said.
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